Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a General Office Clerk General office clerks usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. General office clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Most learn their skills on the job.
Education
General office clerks usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some clerks have taken college courses or have an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Courses in which students learn to use computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheet software, may be helpful for those who aren’t already familiar with them.
Training
General office clerks usually learn their skills while on the job. Their training typically lasts up to 1 month and may include instructions on office procedures, proper phone etiquette, and the use of office equipment. Advancement General office clerks may advance to other administrative positions with more responsibility, such as secretaries and administrative assistants. Advancement opportunities often depend on work experience.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of general office clerks is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 249,000 openings for general office clerks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment The continued use of technology that automates document preparation and other clerical tasks, such as automated phone systems, is expected to result in fewer general office clerks needed to perform this work. In addition, electronic filing systems and file sharing software allow other office workers to do the tasks previously done by general office clerks, further decreasing employment of office clerks. However, there will likely still be some demand for these workers to handle administrative tasks. General Office Clerks Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Office and administrative support occupations -4% Office clerks, general -6% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What General Office Clerks Do
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.
Duties
General office clerks typically do the following:
- Answer telephone calls, take messages, and respond to emails
- Sort and deliver incoming mail and send outgoing mail
- Schedule appointments and receive customers or visitors
- Provide general information to staff, clients, or the public
- Type, format, or edit routine memos or other reports
- Copy, file, and update paper and electronic documents
- Prepare and process bills and other office documents
- Collect information and perform data entry
Rather than performing a single specialized task, general office clerks have responsibilities that often change daily with the current needs of the employer.
Some clerks file documents or answer phones; others complete data entry tasks or manage office calendars. They also frequently use photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and other office equipment.
The specific duties assigned to clerks will depend on the type of office in which they work. For example, a general office clerk at a college or university may process application materials and answer questions from prospective students, while a clerk at a hospital may file and retrieve medical records.
Work Environment
Work Environment
General office clerks held about 2.6 million jobs in 2025. The largest employers of general office clerks were as follows:
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 14% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 11 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 10 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 8 |
General office clerks are employed in nearly every industry. They usually work in office settings.
Work Schedules
Most general office clerks work full time, although part-time work is common.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. General office clerks must convey information clearly when answering phones and writing memos or emails. Detail oriented. General office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills or proofreading documents. Interpersonal skills. General office clerks frequently interact with company staff, customers, or the public. They should be courteous and polite when dealing with others. Organizational skills. General office clerks file and retrieve records. They need to keep records organized to be able to access them quickly and efficiently.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about general office clerks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.